Shoe-retainer.



J. I. SOUTHWIGK. SHOE RETAINER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11 1908.

Patenfied May 4, 1909.

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UNITED STAlLEELli-ATENT OFFICE.

JONATHAN IRISH SOUTHWIOK, OF FRESNO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOLUTHER POLK NEIL, OF FRESNO, CALIFORNIA.

SHOE-RETAIN ER.

To all whom it may concemt:

Be it known that I, JONATHAN linen SOUTHWICK, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Fresno, in the county of Fresno and State ofCalifornia, have invented certain new and useful 1m )rovements inShoelietainers; and I do dec are the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in retainers for low-quartershoes.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensivedevice of this character which may be readily applied to any shoe tosecurely hold the same in place and prevent its slipping at the heel.

ii ith this and other objects in view, the invention consists of certainnovel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts aswill be described and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

in the acconipz'tnying drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective View of alow-quarter shoe showing the application of the device thereto; Fig. isa horizontal sectional view through the heel portion of the shoe; andFig. is a detail perspective view of a retaining device removed from theshoe.

In the embodiment of the invention 1 proide a short piece of elastic, 1,to each end of which is secured an attaching device, 2, said devicesbeing here shown and are preferably constructed from a single pieceof-wire bent midway between its ends to form a square loop, 3, to whichthe ends of the elastic are secured by stitching or other suitablefastening means. The ends of the loop, 3, are bent back upon themselvesto form lining-engaging hooks, 4, the ends of which are sharpened orpointed.

in applying the retaining devices to'the shoe, the hooks at at each endof the elastic are engaged with or hooked into the lining at the heelend of the shoe in such manner that the elastic piece, 1, stretchesacross the central portion of the heel end of the shoe in po-Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. May 11, 1908.

Patented May 4, 1909.

Serial No. 432,147.

sition to engage the heel of the foot when placed in the shoe so thatthe tension of the elastic piece is applied to the heel, thus retainingthe shoe in position and preventing the heel portion of the same fromslipping up and down 011 the heel of the foot, or from beingaccidentally pulled oil.

A retaining device of this character is sim ple and inexpensive inconstruction and may be quickly and easily applied to any form of shoeand will be found to be reliable and effective for holding the shoe inplace on the foot.

The construction of the device enables the same to be Worn withoutdiscomfort, and while serving to retain the shoe in place, does notinterfere with the removal of the shoe when desired.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing, the construction and operation of the inventionwill be readily understood without requiring a more extendedexplanation.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters-Patent, is:

A shoe retainer comprising an elastic strap having fastening devicespivotally connected to opposite ends thereof, each of said devices beingmade from a single piece of wire bent to form an approximately U-shapedbody with the outer ends of the arms of the body bent inwardly to formvertically spaced outwardly inclined hooks adapted to enter the liningof the heel portion of the shoe and removably hold the fastening devicesin position, the strap normally extending in a direct transverse planeacross the inside of the heel portion of the shoe with its upper andlower edges in vertical alinement.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in. presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

JONATHAN IRIS H SOUTHWICK.

l/Vitnesses:

R. L. HEFLIN, GEO. F. LINGBY.

